Bayern waiting on Rodriguez fitness
BERLIN — Runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are waiting to discover the extent of James Rodriguez’s calf injury amid grumblings of unrest in their star-studded squad.
The Colombian international limped off after 44 minutes of Tuesday night’s 5-0 mauling of Besiktas in the Champions League last 16, first-leg tie.
Bayern hope for good news when the attacking midfielder is examined on Wednesday.
“I think the injury is not that bad, but I don’t know if it will take a few days or longer — we will have to see,” said head coach Jupp Heynckes.
Heynckes said Rodriguez did not feel a sharp “sting, like a muscle tear, but it came on gradually, so it was better to take him off.”
Bayern are waiting to see if the 26-year-old will miss Saturday’s Bundesliga game at home to Hertha Berlin.
The Bavarian giants are on a 14-match winning run, 19 points clear in the Bundesliga table and on course for a sixth straight league title.
When Rodriguez went off just before half-time, Arjen Robben replaced him and helped set up goals for Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski, who both scored twice.
In post-match interviews, Robben was clearly annoyed at starting on the bench alongside fellow veteran winger Franck Ribery, who came on for the final 10 minutes. —